October 27th

The Ragdoll cat breed originated in the early 1960s in Riverside, California. A woman named Ann Baker is credited with creating the breed. The foundation cat for the Ragdoll was a domestic long-haired white cat named Josephine, who had a calm, docile temperament. After Josephine was involved in a car accident, her kittens began to exhibit an unusually relaxed, floppy nature when handled, which intrigued Baker.

Ann Baker selectively bred Josephine’s offspring to enhance this characteristic of going limp or "ragdoll-like" when picked up, along with their friendly and affectionate personalities. Over time, this breeding program produced the first Ragdoll cats, which were large, strikingly beautiful cats with blue eyes, semi-longhair coats, and colorpoint markings similar to those of Siamese cats.

Ragdolls are known for their gentle temperament, affectionate nature, and tendency to follow their owners around. They are often described as “puppy-like” because of their loyalty and the way they seek human companionship.

Origins